Dihydrotestosterone causes reversible infertility in male rats.
Dihydrotestosterone released continuously from a subcutaneously implanted Silastic elastomer was more potent than testosterone in reducing circulating gonadotropin and androgen concentrations and in inducing testicular atrophy and infertility despite normal ejaculatory function as judged by the presence of vaginal plugs in cage mates. All effects were reversible. Thus quantities of dihydrotestosterone which reduce circulating gonadotropin concentrations suffice to maintain the weights of accessory sex organs but not spermatogenesis. That the latter is possible with higher doses even in the complete absence of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone (state after hypophysectomy) has been shown by others.
D000818:Animals; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007246:Infertility / Q000209:etiology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology
D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone